Bolton families will be able to use Bee Network bus services for free during August after the council confirmed children aged five to 15 qualify for unlimited travel as part of the Government's Great British Summer Savings campaign.
Who benefits and how to get the ticket
There is no registration required for the national scheme locally: young people simply need to board a participating Bee Network bus and ask the driver for a free ticket. Children aged under five already travel free on the network.
"We're pleased to be taking part in the Great British Summer Savings scheme which will mean free bus travel on the Bee Network for everyone aged five to 15 in August. This will help make days out more affordable for families this summer," said Fran Wilkinson, customer and growth director at TfGM.
16-year-olds and Our Pass
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed an additional local measure: 16-year-olds will be able to activate their Our Pass from 1 August, one month earlier than usual. That decision means all young people under 18 in Greater Manchester – including Bolton – will be entitled to free bus travel during August.
- Ages 5–15: unlimited free travel on Bee Network buses during August; ask the driver for a free ticket.
- Under 5s: already travel free year-round.
- 16-year-olds: can activate Our Pass from 1 August, gaining free travel for the month.
Local context and likely impact
For Bolton households, the scheme offers an immediate way to reduce day-out costs during the school holidays. It will particularly benefit families without access to a car and those planning visits to parks, museums or events across the town and wider Greater Manchester. The early activation of Our Pass also provides continuity for older teens who rely on public transport for part‑time work, summer courses or leisure.
Our Pass, introduced in 2019, is already used by more than 50,000 young people across Greater Manchester and carries additional discounts – for example, half-price off-peak one-day and weekend tram tickets through the Bee Network app. The council’s social media guidance is practical: simply ask the driver for a free ticket when boarding.
Summary table
| Age group | Eligibility in August |
|---|---|
| Under 5 | Free travel year-round |
| 5–15 | Free on Bee Network buses during August (no registration) |
| 16 | Our Pass activation from 1 August; free travel |
| 17–18 | Free travel if eligible for Our Pass |
Families in Bolton should check the Bee Network and TfGM channels for any route participation details and to confirm whether specific services are included in the scheme. For many households across the borough, the move will make summer travel noticeably more affordable.
